John ebickson



.l. ERlCKSONf MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. H, 1918.

f mien! 01" Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

Z R 0 m K w Q 0% 2 Y O L wk John Ermksnn HUM-n2 JOHN ERICKSON, 0E CHICAG-J, OF CHICAGO,

ILLIHGIS, ASSIG-NOR TO AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COMPANY, ILLINQIS, A SGRPURATION OF ILLINOIS.

MEASURED-SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTElr.

Application filed February 11, 1918.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN ERIGKSON, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Measured-Service Telephone Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates in general to improved measured service apparatus, and is especially adapted for use in a purely automatic telephone system, in which no operato s are employed, but it may also be used in a purely manual or semi-automatic system of any well known character.

More specifically my invention relates to an improved measured service device of the class known as coin collectors in which it is required that a coin be deposited in payment for a call before conversation may be carried on.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a coin collecting device which may be readily used in a party line telephone system and one which will meet all the rigid requirements of such a class of service and will operate in an improved and efficient manner. Also it is desired to provide such a device which will not only operate with certainty but which will also be proof against any false operation. In systems of this character it has been common practice in the past to include a polarized magnet in the talking circuit at a substation which is operated by reversals of current to collect a coin or to'render the transmitter and receiver of such substation inoperative. In such a system it is often found that this relay is operated at times when it should not operate, especially in a party l1ne system and therefore causing a wrongful charge to be assessed upon a calling subscriber. In my inventiomI have arranged the circuits and apparatus in such a manner as to include the polarized relay in the line circuit only at a certain time, when it is necessary to operate same.

I will describe my invention by referring to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents in a diagrammatic form the essential parts used in establishing a connection from called substation A to a called substation B in any well known type of two wire automatic telephone system.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

Serial No. 216,449.

Associated with the calling substation A I have shown the party line lockout relay 14:, which is well known in party line sys tems and my improved coin collecting device, which comprises among other details, the polarized relay 20 and the slow acting relay 21, which operate conjointly to collect and return coins in the coin chute The substation A comprises the well known transmitter 3, receiver 2, receiver hook e, switch hook springs 5, 6 and 7, ringer 8, condenser 9, induction coil 13, and a calling device comprising the impulse springs 10 and the shunt springs 11 and 12-. Associated with the line of substation A is a line switch of any well known type, only the wipers of which are shown, which operates upon the lifting of the receiver 2 from the hook to connect the line of substation A to a connector switch C of the well known Keith Erickson type of which only the line and back bridge relays 28 and 29 are shown. This connector switch is controlled by the springs 10 through the medium of the line relay 29 to connect with and signal a called substation similar to B. It may be understood that a number of substations similar to A may be connected in multiple with the receiver and transmitter of substation A across the line conductors 24: and 2 5 in a manner well known to systems in which party lines are used.

Fig. 2 illustrates certain details of the structure shown at M, Fig. l.

I will now describe in detail the method of operation when one of the subscribers (A for instance) on the party line 2% and 2", calls the line of substation B and converses with the subscriber thereat.

When the subscriber A removes his receiver to initiate a call the ringer 8 and condenser 9 are disconnected from the line circuit and a circuit is closed through the operating windings of the individual line switch (not shown) and through the receiver and transmitter and the upper winding of relay 1A in series. If the party line is in use the relay 14: will not be energized and the subscriber A will immediately restore his receiver upon listening in, without including the relays 21 and 20 in the line circuit.

Assuming the party line to be idle, however, then as soon the above circuit is closed the relay 14 will energize and the individual switch will be operated to extend the line conductors 2a and 25 to the relay 29 of the connector C. The circuit for energizing relay 1d extends from the lin e conductor 24-, through the upper winding of relay 1 1, springs 15, winding of induction coil 13, transmitter 3, receiver 2, springs 10, springs 5 and 6, and conductor 25. The upper and lower windings of relay is have separate magnetic circuits, so that only the armature 26 is attracted when the upper winding is energized. The armature 26 upon being attracted closes .the springs 16 and 17 to prepare a circuit for the lower winding of relay 14c, and closes the springs 18 and 19 to connect the relays 20 and 21 in multiple with the upper winding of relay 14 in series with the line circuit. The current in this circuit is not in the proper direction to operate the relay 20, which is polarized. The relay 21, however, operates to short circuit the polarized relay 20 at the springs 22. The removal of the receiver at substation A also causes the element 36 to be inserted in the path of the coin in the return chute so that after removing the receiver when a coin is dropped into the coin chute 23 it will come to rest upon the end ofthe arm 39 and upon the element 1 36. The element 36 is inserted into the coin chute by the action of the armature 26 of the relay 14: as shown in Fig. 2. Should the subscriber now decide to discontinue the call and restore his receiver the element 36 will be removed from the chute by the deenergization 01 the relay 1 1 and the coin 40 will pass down the chute and be returned. Assuming the call to be continued, however, the subscriber A will now operate his call ing device to open and close the springs 10 a number of times to operate the connector C. This connector is operated by the predetermined digit of the called number to connect with and test the line of substation B and to signal said subscriber automatically in the usual manner. During the operation of the springs 10, the springs 11 and 12 are closed continuously to short circuit the transmitter 3 and receiver 2 and also the coils 20 and 21, to prevent any false operation of said coils or the noise occasioned by sending impulses through the transmitter and receiver.

The subscriber B in response to the operation of his signal removes his receiver to answer the call, thereby closing an energizing circuit for the back bridge relay 28 over the two sides of his line in series. The relay 28, upon energizing, operates to reverse the connections of the line relay 29 with regard to the conductors 24c and 25 and to thereby reverse the direction of the current flow through the line circuit of the substation A. This circuit now extends from battery through the upper winding of relay 29, springs 33 and 34, conductor 25, springs 6 and 5, springs 10, receiver 2, transmitter 3, secondary of induction coil 18, and through the springs 15 and upper winding of relay 1 1, in multiple with relay 21, springs 22 and springs 18 and 19 to the conductor 24, and thence through springs 32 and 30 and the lower winding of relay 29 to ground. The relay 1% is not affected by this reversal of current and retains its armature attracted. The relay 21, however, being slow acting operates to momentarily detract its armature when this reversal takes place. The momentary deenergization of relay 21 causes the short circuit to be removed from the polarized relay 20 for an instant, thereby including said relay in series with the line circuit. The current now flowing in the line circuit being of reversed direction causes the relay 20 to attract its armature to the right against the right hand pole piece of its magnetic circuit. This operation ot relay 22 causes the arm 38 to be inserted into the coin chute 23, and also removes the arm 39 from the path of the coin 10 allowing said coin to pass down the coin chute and be collected. Another result of the energization of relay 20 is the closure of the springs 11 by the bushing t3, which passes to the right over a bushing on the under side of the lower of the springs ll. The springs 11 are locked in engagement by the element 4:2 which passes under the end of the lower of said springs. The closure of springs l-l completes a short circuit about the talking equipment of the substation A to prevent the subscriber there-at from conversing unless proper payment is first made for the call. As the coin 10 is released and collected by the QIHOViIl of the element 39 it passes down the collect chute and in so doing engages the extending end of the element 4:2 which is thereby forced outward to unlock the springs ll and to thereby again remove the short circuiti'rom the talking equipment. Conversation may now be carried on over the extended circuit. Should another coin be deposited ter the called subscriber answers it will strike upon the end of element 38, which was inserted in the coin chute by the energization of relay 20, and will be returned to the subscriber by means of the return chute 37. If the called subscriber had not answered the call, then when the calling restores his receiver the relay 14: will be meenergized and the element 36 will be removed from the return chute and the coin ll) will be returned to the subscriber. It will be seen that there is no opportunity for the relay 20 to be again operated as it is only included in the line circuit for a moment while current is being reversed on the line. Also that in order for conversation to be carried on the coin to must be deposited before the called subscriber answers in order to remove the short circuit of the talking equipment. As soon as the conversation is completed the connection is released in the manner well known to such systems by the restoration of the receiver to the switch hook at the calling station, at which time a circuit is closed for the lower or release winding of the relay 14, extending from battery to the conductor 25, springs 6 and 7, springs 16 and 17, lower winding of relay 14, and conductor 24 to ground. The armature 27 is now attracted to open the the springs 15. The opening of the springs 15 opens the circuit of the upper winding of relay 14, and also opens the circuit of relay 29, thereby causing the release of the extended connection in the usual manner. The release of armature 26 removes the element 36 from the coin chute and also returns the armature of polarized relay 20 to normal, reference being had to Fig. -1. Although the armature of relay 20 in returning to normal again locks the springs 41 in engagement, they are immediately unlocked again when the arm 44 forces the element 42 out of engagement therewith.

It will be seen therefore that I have provided a highly eflicient and useful method of operation in a coin controlled measured service system in which the coin controlling polarized relay is only included in the circuit of the line long enough to insure proper operation.

Having fully described and ascertained my invention what I claim to be new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent will be pointed out in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a telephone system, a calling and a called line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for connecting said lines in a talking circuit, means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for reversing the current in the calling line, a relay in said talking circuit at the calling line,

means controlled by the initiation of said connection for rendering said relay inoperative, and controlled by said reversal of current to momentarily render said relay operative, and means controlled by said relay for shunting said talking equipment.

2. In a telephone system, a calling and a calledL line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for connecting said lines in a talking circuit, means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for reversing the current in the calling line, a relay in said talking circuit at the calling line, means controlledv by the initiation of said connection for rendering said relay inoperative, and controlled by said reversal of current to momentarily render said relay operative, means controlled by said relay for shunting said talking equipment, and coin controlled means for removing the shunt from said talking equipment.

3. In a telephone system, a calling and a called line, means for connecting said lines in a talking circuit, talking equipment for said calling line, a pair of relays associated with said calling line, means for operating one of said relays when the call is initiated for rendering said second relay inoperative, means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for momentarily rendering said second relay operative, means controlled by said second relay said talking equipment inoperative during the operative stage of said relay, and means for rendering said talking equipment operative.

4. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, means for connecting said lines in a talking circuit, talking equipment for said calling line, a pair of relays in said talking circuit, means for en ergizing one of said relays when a call is initiated, for shunting the other of said relays, means controlled by the response of the called subscribed for deenergizing said first relay momentarily to remove the shunt about said other relay and for operating said other relay, means controlled by the operation of said other relay for shuntin said talking equipment, and means controlled by the calling subscriber for again rendering said talking equipment operative.

5. In a telephone system, a calling line, talking equipment for said line, means for extending a connection from said line, a relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative, means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connection, means for removing said short circuit only momentarily after said connection established, and means for operating said relay during the momentary interval in which the short circuit is removed for rendering the talking equipment inoperative.

6. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, means for connecting said lines in a talking circuit, talking equipment for said calling line, a pair of relays in said talking circuit, means for energizing one of said relays when a call is initiated, for shunting the other of said relays, means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for deenergizing said first relay momentarily to remove the shunt about said other relay and for operating said other relay, means controlled by the operation of said other relay for shunting said talking equipment, and coin controlled means controlled by the calling subscriber for again rendering said talking equipment operative.

7. In a telephone system, a calling line, talking equipmentfor said line, means for extending a connection from said line, a relay for rendering said talking equipment extending a connection from said line, a

relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative, means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connection, means for removing said short circuit only momentarily after said connection is establishd, means for operating said relay during the momentary interval in which the short circuit is removed for rendering the talking equipment inoperative, and coin controlled means for again rendering said talk ing equipment operative.

9. In a telephone system, a calling line and a called line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a connection between said lines, a relay, means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connection, means controlled by the called subscriber for removing said short circuit only momentarily, and for operating said relay during said interval in which the short circuit is removed, means controlled by the o aeration of said relay for rendering said tal King equipment inoperative and means for thereafter rendering said equipment operative.

10. In a telephone system, a calling line and a called line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a connection between said lines, a relay, means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connection, means controlled by the called subscriber for removing said short circuit only momentarily, and for operatingsaid relay during said interval in which the short circuit is removed, means controlled by the operation of said relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative and means controlled by the calling subscriber for thereafter rendering said equipment operative.

11. In a telephone system, a calling line and a called line, talking equipment for said calling line. means for establishing a connection between said lines, a relay, means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connection, means con-' trolled by the called subscriber for removing said short circuit only momentarily, and for operating said relay during said interval in which the short circuit is removed, meanscontrolled by the operation of said relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative and coin controlled means for thereafter rendermg said equipment operative.

12. In a telephone system, a calling line and a called line, talking equipment for-said rendering said talking equipment inoperative, and coin controlled means controlled by the calling subscriber for thereafter rendering said equipment operative.

13. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a talking circuit between said lines, a polarized relay and a slow acting relay in said talking circuit, means for energizing said slow relay upon the initiation of a call, means controlled by the energization of said slow relay for short circuiting said polarized relay, means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for momentarily denergizing said slow relay to remove the shunt from said polarized relay and operate the same, means controlled by said polarized relay for shunting said talking equipment, and means for removing said shunt.

14:. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a talking circuit between said lines, a polarized relay and a slow acting relay in said talking circuit, means for energizing said slow relayupon the initiation of a call, means controlled by the energization of said slow relay for short circuiting said polarized relay, means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for reversing the current flow in said talking circuit to momen tarily deenergize said slow relay to remove the shunt from said polarized relay and operate the same, means controlled by said polarized relay for shunting said talking equipment, and means for removing said shunt.

15. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a talking circuit between said lines, a polarized relay and a slow acting relay in said talking circuit, means for energizing said slow relay upon the initiation of a call, means controlled by the energization of said slow relay for short circuiting said polarized relay, means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for momentarily deenergizing said slow relay to remove the shunt from said polarized relay and operate the same, means controlled by said polarized relay for shunting said talking equipment. and coin controlled means for removing said shunt.

16. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a talking circuit between said lines, a polar ized relay and a slow acting relay in said talking circuit, means for energizing said slow relay upon the initiation of a call, means controlled by the energization of said slow relay for short circuiting said polarized relay, means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for reversing the current flow in said talking circuit to momentarily denergize said slow relay to remove the shunt from said polarized relay and operate the same, means controlled by said polarized relay for shunting said talking equip ment, and coin controlled means for removing said shunt.

17. In a telephone system, a calling and a called line, means for establishing a talking circuit between said lines, and for reversing the current in the calling line upon the response of the called subscriber, electromagnetic means operated by the reversal of current to render the talking equipment of the calling line inoperative, and coin controlled means for restoring the talking circuit to operative condition, said electromagnetic means ineffective except at the time current is reversed by the called subscriber.

18. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, talking equipment therefor, means for extending a talking circuit therefrom, a relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative, and means for maintaining said relay inoperative except at the instant of the response of the called subscriber.

19. In a telephone system, a calling and a called line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for connecting said lines in a talking circuit, electromagnetic means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for reversing the current in the calling line, a relay in said talking circuit at the calling line, electromagnetic means con trolled by the initiation of said connection for rendering said relay inoperative, and controlled by said reversal of current to momentarily render said relay operative, and mechanical means controlled by said relay for shunting said talking equipment.

20. In a telephone system, a calling and a called line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for connecting said lines in a talking circuit, electromagnetic means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for reversing the current in the calling line, a relay in said talking circuit at the calling line, electromagnetic means controlled by the initiation of said connection for rendering said relay inoperative, and

controlled by said reversal of current to momentarily render said relay operative, mechanical means controlled by said relay for shunting said talking equipment, and coin controlled means for removing the shunt from said talking equipment.

21. In a telephone system, a calling and a called line, means for connecting said lines in a talking circuit, talking equipment for said calling line, a pair or" relays associated With said calling line, means for operating one of said relays when the call is initiated for rendering said second relay inoperative, electromagnetic means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for momentarily rendering said second relay operative, mechanical means controlled by said second relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative during the operative stage of said relay, and coin controlled means for rendering said talking equipment operative.

522. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, means for connecting said lines in a talking circuit, talking equipment for said calling line, a pair of relays in said talking circuit, means for energizing one of said relays when a call is initiated, for shunting the other of said relays, electromagnetic means controlled by the response 01": the called subscriber for deenergizing said first relay momentarily to remove the shunt about said other relay and for operating said other relay, mechanical means controlled by the operation of said other relay for shunting said talking equipment, and means controlled by the calling subscriber for again rendering said talking equipment operative.

23. In a telephone system, a calling line, talking equipment for said line, means for extending a connection from said line, a relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative, electromagnetic means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connection, electromagnetic means for removing said short circuit only momentarily after said connection is established, and means for operating said relay during the momentary interval in which the short circuit is removed for rendering the talking equipment inoperative.

2 1. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, means for connecting said lines in a talking circuit, talking equipment for said calling line, a pair of relays in said talking circuit, means for energizing one of said relays when a call is initiated, for shunting the other of said relays, electromagnetic means controlled by the response of thecalled subscriber for deenergizing said first relay momentarily to remove the shunt about said other relay and for operating said other relay, mechanical ment, and coin controlled means controlled by the calling subscriber for again rendering said talking equipment operative.

25. In a telephone system, a calling line, talking equipment for said line, means for extending a connection from said line, a relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative, electromagnetic means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connection, electromagnetic means controlled over the called line for removing said short circuit only momentarily after said connection is established, means for operating said relay during the momentary interval in which the short circuit is removed for rendering the talking equipment inoperative, and means controlled by the calling subscriber for again rendering said talking equipment operative.

26. I11 a telephone system, a calling line,

talking equipment for said line, means for extending a connection from said line, a relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative, electromagnetic means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connection, means controlled over the called line for removing said short circuit only momentarily after said connection is established, means for operating said relay during the momentary interval in which the short circuit is removed for rendering the talking equipment inoperative, and coin controlled means for again rendering said talking equipment operative.

27. In a telephone system, a calling line and a called line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a connection between said lines, a relay, electromagnetic means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connec' tion, means controlled by the called subscriber for removing said short circuit only momentarily, and for operating said relay during said interval in which the short cir- .cuit is removed, mechanical means controlled by the operation of said relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative and coin controlled means for thereafter rendering said equipment operative.

28. In a telephone system, a calling line and a called line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a connection between said lines, a relay, electromagnetic means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connection, means controlled by the called subscriber for removing said short circuit only momentarily, and for operating said relay during said interval in which the short circuit is removed, mechanical means controlled by the operation of said relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative and means controlled by the calling subscriber for thereafter rendering said equipment operative.

29. In a telephone system, a calling line and a called line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a connection between said lines, a relay, electromagnetic means r'or short circuiting said relay during the establishment or said connection, electromagnetic means controlled by the called subscriber for removing said short circuit onlymomentarily, and for operating said relay during said interval in which the short circuit is removed, mechani- :al means controlled by the operation or said relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative and coin controlled means for thereafter rendering said equipment operative.

30. In a telephone system, a calling line and a called line talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a connection between said lines, a relay, electromagnetic means for short circuiting said relay during the establishment of said connection, electromagnetic means controlled by the called subscriber for removing said short circuit only momentarily, and for operating said relay during said interval in which the short circuit is removed, mechanical means controlled by the operation of said relay for rendering said talking equipment inoperative, and coin controlled means controlled by the calling subscriber for thereafter rendering said equipment operative.

31. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a talking circuit between said lines, a polarized relay and a slow acting relay in said talking circuit, means for energizing said slow relay upon the initiation of a call, means controlled by the energization of said slow relay for short circuiting said polarized relay, electromagnetic means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for momentarily deenergizing said slow relay to remove the shunt from said polarized relay and operate the same, mechanical means controlled by said polarized relay for shunting said talking equipment, and coin controlled means for removing said shunt.

32. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a talking circuit between said lines, a polarized relay and a slow acting relay in said talking circuit, means for energizing said slow relay upon the initiation of a call, means controlled by the energization of said slow relay for short circuiting said polarized relay, electromagnetic means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for reversing the current flow in said talking circuit to momentarily deenergize said slow relay to remove the shunt from said polarized relay and operate the same, mechanical'means controlled by said polarized relay for shunting said talking equipment, and coin controlled means for removing said shunt.

33. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a talking circuit between said lines, a polarized relay and a slow acting relay in said talking circuit, means for energizing said slow relay upon the initiation of a call, means controlled by the energization of said slow relay for short circuiting said polarized relay, electromagnetic means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for momentarily denergizing said slow relay to remove the shunt from said polarized relay and operate the same, mechanical means controlled by said polarized relay for shunting said talking equipment, and coin controlled means for removing said shunt.

34. In a telephone system, a calling and a called subscribers line, talking equipment for said calling line, means for establishing a talking circuit between said lines, a polarized relay and a slow acting relay in said talking circuit means for energizing said slow relay upon the initiation of a call, means controlled by the energization of said slorc relay for short circuiting said polarized relay, electromagnetic means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for reversing the current flow in said talking circuit to momentarily deenergize said slow relay to remove the shunt from said polarized relay and operate the same, mechanical means controlled by said polarized relay for shunting said talking equipment, and coin controlled means for removing said shunt.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 5th day of February, 1918.

JOHN ERIOKSON. 

